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    Category Home » Salads » Little Gem Wedge Salad with Bacon, Blue Cheese, and Warm Garlic Croutons

    Little Gem Wedge Salad with Bacon, Blue Cheese, and Warm Garlic Croutons

    Published: May 11, 2021 · Modified: May 11, 2021 by Leigh Anderson · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    I’m a big fan of a classic steak house wedge salad but.. why use watery iceberg lettuce when you could use something so much better? Little Gem lettuce is a hybrid of romaine and butter lettuce and makes the perfect vessel for creamy blue cheese dressing, crispy bacon, and warm garlic croutons!

    a bright and colorful little gem salad topped with cherry tomatoes, blue cheese dressing, croutons and radish on a white platter oval

    If you’ve never tried little gem lettuce before this is your sign! It’s the perfect base for this wedge salad which is hearty enough to be a full meal all on its own. If you can’t find little gem lettuce use romaine instead and discard the outer leaves and just use the tender hearts.

    If you like this salad recipe you may also want to check Frisée Salad with Bacon, Croutons, and Poached Egg!

    Ingredients You’ll Need:

    Here’s everything you’ll need to make this Little Gem Wedge Salad: Little Gem lettuce, bacon, hard-boiled eggs, day-old bread, whole milk Greek yogurt, vinegar, olive oil, blue cheese (Point Reyes is my favorite!), garlic, chives, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and radish.

    recipe ingredients on a blue background, bread, lettuce, hard boiled eggs, yogurt, bacon, cherry tomatoes, and chives.

    INGREDIENT NOTES AND SUBSTITUTIONS:

    • Little Gem Lettuce: Use romaine if you can’t find Little Gem.
    • Blue Cheese: Feta or Goat Cheese will work.
    • Chives: Scallions may be substituted for chives.
    • Yogurt: Sour cream or creme fraiche.
    • Bacon: Turkey bacon or you can skip the bacon altogether if you prefer a vegetarian salad.
    • Optional salad add ons: avocado and/or grilled chicken.

    Recipe Step by Step

    Step 1. Make the Croutons

    Toast the torn bread and garlic cloves in olive oil until they’re golden brown and crispy.

    cubed crouton and whole garlic cloves cooking in a cast iron pan.

    Step 2. Make the Dressing

    The dressing is so easy to make! Simply whisk together all of the ingredients. Add a few tablespoons of water to thin out the dressing until it is a pourable consistency.

    a silver mixing bowl filled with blue cheese dressing and a silver spoon

    Step 3. Assemble + Serve

    Cut the little gems in half lengthwise. Pour the dressing over the lettuce, then top with the tomatoes, radish, hard-boiled egg, onion, chives, and warm croutons. Season the whole salad with salt and pepper, serve immediately!

    a large, white, oval platter filled with Little Gem Wedge Salad with Bacon, Blue Cheese, and Warm Garlic Croutons. A white cloth napkin on a blue background.

    FAQs and Expert Tips

    What is little gem lettuce?

    Little gem lettuce is a hybrid of romaine lettuce and butter lettuce. It’s hearty, crisp, and sweet. Little gem lettuce is great for so many types of salads, it’s rippled leaves hold onto dressings and vinaigrettes perfectly. If you can’t find little gem lettuce at your local market, romaine is a good substitute.

    Can I use a different cheese for this salad?

    Yep! You can absolutely substitute feta or goat’s cheese if you don’t like blue cheese.

    Check Out More Great Recipes

    • Little Gem Salad with Lentils, Radicchio and, Pecorino Vinaigrette
    • Frisée Salad with Bacon, Croutons, and Poached Egg
    • Corn and Arugula Salad with Tomatoes and Blue Cheese
    • Green Goddess Salad with Basil-Tahini Dressing
    • Herb Salad with Shaved Parmesan Cheese

    I love to hear from readers and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. If you make this recipe be sure to leave a comment and/or give it a rating! Don’t forget to follow along on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram for all the latest updates!

    Little Gem Wedge Salad with Bacon, Blue Cheese, and Warm Garlic Croutons

    A new take on the classic wedge salad made with little gem lettuce, crispy bacon, creamy blue cheese dressing, and warm garlic croutons!
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 531kcal
    Author: Leigh Anderson

    Ingredients

    Croutons

    • 2 c torn day old bread
    • ¼ c olive oil
    • 2 cloves garlic

    Dressing

    • ½ c whole milk Greek yogurt
    • ½ c crumbled blue cheese plus extra for serving
    • 1 clove garlic grated
    • 3 tbsp chopped chives plus extra for serving
    • 3 tbsp white wine vinegar
    • salt and freshly cracked black pepper

    Salad

    • 4 heads little gem lettuce
    • 8 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
    • 3 hard-boiled eggs grated or finely chopped
    • ¼ red onion thinly sliced
    • 1 c cherry tomatoes halved
    • 4 radishes thinly sliced

    Instructions

    Croutons:

    • Heat a saute pan or cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil to the pan, once it's hot add in the torn bread and garlic cloves. Cook, stirring frequently until the croutons are golden brown and crispy. Transfer the croutons to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb the excess oil. Season with salt. If you need to re-warm the croutons just pop them in a 300F oven for 5 minutes.

    Dressing:

    • To prepare the dressing whisk together all of the ingredients in a bowl. Use the whisk to break up any large chunks of blue cheese. The dressing will be very thick, add 2-3 tablespoons of water to thin it to a pourable consistency.

    Salad:

    • Cut the little gems in half lengthwise then arrange them on a platter. Top each half with a generous amount of dressing followed by hard-boiled egg, crumbled bacon, sliced tomatoes, onion, radish, crumbled blue cheese, chopped chives, and lastly the warm croutons. Serve immediately!

    Notes

     
    Ingredient Notes and Substitutions:
    • Little Gem Lettuce: Use romaine if you can’t find Little Gem.
    • Blue Cheese: Feta or Goat Cheese will work.
    • Chives: Scallions may be substituted for chives.
    • Yogurt: Sour cream or creme fraiche.
    • Bacon: Turkey bacon or you can skip the bacon altogether if you prefer a vegetarian salad.
     
    Make-ahead instructions: 
    The dressing, croutons, and hard-boiled eggs can be made up to three days in advance. Re-warm the croutons just before serving at 300F for 5 minutes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 531kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 42g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 186mg | Sodium: 740mg | Potassium: 395mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 656IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 199mg | Iron: 2mg
    Did you make this recipe?Share a picture on Instagram and tag me: @Craving_California and use the hashtag: #CravingCalifornia!
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